Understanding the Basics of Wine 101
A Beginner's Guide to Loving Wine in Five Easy, Affordable Steps
Jan 29, 2009
Step 1. Study a Favorite
For beginners whose experience with wine has, to this point, been limited to the under $10 price point, it is essential to determine why they choose the wines they do. If a person regularly buys the popular, widely-available Yellowtail brand wine for about $7 a bottle, they should purchase several varieties of Yellowtail to compare. For instance, the crisp, slightly sweet Yellowtail Pinot Grigio, a white wine, tastes completely different from the similarly-colored yet less fruity and smoother Yellowtail Riesling. Another Yellowtail white wine, the Chardonnay, tastes entirely different from both the Pinot Grigio and Riesling.
Step 2. Explore Alternatives
After determining which variety is preferred, a beginner should expand beyond their comfort zone by purchasing the same variety in the same price point, but from a different vineyard or winemaker. For instance, if the Yellowtail Pinot Grigio was preferred, the next step is to try other similarly priced Pinot Grigios. Additionally, as Yellowtail is grown in Australia, it is important to try the preferred variety from other parts of the world. Pinot Grigio can grow in New Zealand, California, Italy, and South Africa, among other places. Purchasing a wine journal and notating the subtle differences can help determine which country's Pinot Grigio the person ultimately favors.
Step 3. The Very Basics of Wine
There are several common sense principles about wine to learn and keep in mind when tasting:
- All wine is made from two main ingredients: grapes and yeast. Grapes + Yeast = Wine.
- The different soils, climates, and aging processes used in different countries impact the taste, aromas, acidity and texture in wine. A Tannat wine grown in France tastes noticeably different from a Tannat grown in Uruguay.
- White wine is made from grapes that have had their skins removed. Red wine is made from grapes with their skins left on, making them richer in antioxidants.
- Many wines are "blends," meaning they contain more than one kind of grape (for example, a Shiraz/Cabernet blend is made from Shiraz grapes and Cabernet grapes). Wines that are made from only one kind of grape are called "varietals."
Step 4. Step Outside the Box
If a person has narrowed their preference down to a certain variety of wine, they will begin to understand what to look for in exploring new wines. If sweet wine is disliked, sparkling rosé wines should be avoided in favor of a dry sparkling white. One should never paint themselves into a corner when it comes to tasting wine; simply determine what is liked best about the favorites, and look for it in other varieties.
The way wine is aged has impact on its flavor: wine aged in stainless steel barrels maintain their natural flavor, while wines aged in oak barrels take on some of the oak-flavor, lending a vanilla, smoky, or cedar taste. Some people dislike oak-aged wines; some people prefer them. If a person determines their preference, it can help them know which wines to look for.
Step 5. Host a Tasting
Wine appreciators love sharing their favorites with their friends, and hosting a wine tasting at home is a sophisticated alternative to beer & chips parties. Cut up some cheese, pour out tastings, and pass out index card to gauge guests' reactions to the wines poured. It's interesting to learn how differently people can react to the same wines. Where one person tastes leather, another may taste pepper or smoke. All it costs is three or four bottles of wine, a few wedges of cheese and a box of crackers for a swanky, unique party your guests will remember.
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